Belize

Just planning our trip to mexico and belize and wondering about the islands off belize.

I found in Thailand that the ones most close to the mainline were more over developed ... is it the same in belize? we were thinking of caye Caulker ... but want to find somewhere where the cool people hang out - not some where where there are loads of fat americans tanning themselves (no offense to all you yanks though!!)

Maybe going to Belize this summer as well. Have been doing some research already, and Caye Caulker and Ambergis Caye are the most popular, the first more for budget traveler, the last for upper scale. Maybe try to visit some islands more south, from Dangriga or Placencia, like Tobacco Caye.

I was in Belize May '06. We chose not to go to Anbergris Caye because it was the most developed of the Cayes in the area. It's also a pretty big place. We stayed at Caye Caulker which is much smaller, quieter, and less (but still very) touristy than Ambergris Caye.

That being said, the thing with Caye Caulker is that unless you are willing to pay for a decent room, all tap water (shower and sink) will be purified salt water. This is one of the setbacks of limited development.

There are many people on Caye Caulker. You will find less fat Americans on the island than on Ambergris Caye, either because Caulker's tourists are either poor backpackers or they like to rough it more. Nevertheless, I like both Cayes.

If you do stay at Caye Caulker, visit the big, overweight Belizean guy who BBQs shrimp/fish/chicken at night. His curry rice is some good stuff too! There are two guys that BBQ at night. This guy wears pants and a white tank top.

If you want to do some snorkeling (which I highly recommend) ask for Carlos, a Honduran guy with a tour business down the main strip next to a gift shop (beach towels, etc) For the life of me I can't remember the name of his business, but he and his brother (who owns a tour company on the other end of Caye Caulker) are incredible.